Consumer Advisory Committee Adopts Media Ownership Recommendation

Without objection, the Federal Communications Commission's Consumer Advisory Committee adopted a recommendation on media ownership today. Recognizing that more public participation in rulemakings result in better rules, the Committee recommends the FCC: 1) begin a comprehensive proceeding to adopt rules that will promote the core values of localism, competition, and diversity, and that will expand the multiplicity of voices and choices that support our marketplace of ideas and that sustain American democracy and creativity, 2) schedule and attend a series of hearings across the country to engage the American people on the future of their media and to gain a better understanding of the impact of media concentration on our communities, 3) compile a far more complete record, including independent research studies on media concentration in a variety of markets, so that the Commission can make a decision on a more solid foundation that the 2003 effort, and 4) in releasing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, provide full notice and a significant comment period on the specific proposals, as warranted, so that the public knows what new rules the Commission is considering.